Chain Off has been held annually
around the 4th of July since 2004, highlighting the reality that while
Americans are celebrating their own freedom, there are tens
of thousands of Man's Best Friends in every state who are still
not free: America's chained and penned dogs. These dogs
are found in backyards stretching from Delaware to Alaska, from
Maine to Hawaii, throughout the provinces of Canada, and
in countries around the world.

In addition to being our biggest
awareness campaign of the year, this
is also our biggest fundraising campaign of the year, last
year raising almost $13,000 for our work with chained and penned
dogs, but that was a low year for us.Let's
blow that out of the water this year too, with a goal of $30,000
raised during Chain Off! Be part of it!
You can fundraise even if you're not going to live chained to
the doghouse...join an online fundraising 'team' in your state,
start your own fundraising page, and make it happen.

Next, start
your plan...bring in more volunteers with you or go it alone,
get your doghouse(s), collars, and chains, and you're all set. Make sure to send a media release (to come) to the local media, letting them know
how to contact you and when you will be doing your Chain Off.

Let's get out there and kick
butt in 2012 for Chained Dogs the world over!

Just
a few simple rules to live by:

1.
If you say you'll do it, don't back out.

2.
Get friends and family to sponsor you on your own pageonlineso
you can raise money for our work while you're whiling away the
hours.

3.
Send a media release (to come) to your local media outlets, letting them
know you are participating in their area, with your contact
information, date, time, and place.

4.
Be mindful of your purpose in chaining yourself...to put
yourself in the dog's paws. So please, 'rough it'. Sit on
the ground (a blanket is ok but no chairs); don't spend
the time reading or watching TV. Speak to the media and others
interested in your activities, of course, and only get off
your chain to use the restroom as needed, unless there's
an emergency! The goal is to really understand what it's
like to live as a chained dog to become a more effective
advocate.

3.
Make sure to take photos and send us a write up of your success
for the website.

4.
Chain yourself from 8-24 hours anytime from June 15th through
July 15th.